There will be no VW Golf R400 due to economic cutbacks

The guys at Volkswagen are very clear that the Golf is, today, a safe bet, one of the fundamental pillars within the brand.

However, it seems that what should have been the first Golf in history to reach 400 CV is going to be left on the drawing board due to the budget cuts stemming from the pollution emissions scandal.

Some time ago we told you about the Golf R400, a concept born with the aim of becoming the most powerful and brutal Golf of all time. From the very first moment it was an object of desire, showing a really attractive, very beastly look. Without a doubt, it was the Golf that the most hardcore fans had been waiting for.

On paper, the truth is that the combination could not look better, thanks to a widened bodywork, full of specific details, as well as an extremely sporty interior with bucket seats, Alcantara and fluorescent yellow accents. The most appealing element, however, lay under the bonnet, where it housed a 2.0 TFSI engine with 400 CV.

The reception of this prototype was such that the brand had no choice but to give the green light to the project, announcing that, at last, the Golf R400 would become a reality at a time yet to be determined. Nothing could be further from the truth. And the reality is that, sadly, the Golf R400 will not go beyond being a concept car.

We are going to be left wanting a Golf that exceeds 400 CV

The budget cuts imposed within the VW Group because of the pollution emissions scandal are what have swept this project away -and many others-. The crisis within the automotive group has hit very hard, so the brand has had to set aside plans that were not “urgent”.

The R400 was not one of them, so it has been decided to cancel its development. Even so, it seems that some parts are going to move forward, such as the 2.0 TFSI engine with 400 CV. This engine will continue to be developed in the laboratories of Audi, with a view to later use in road-going models.

Even so, we can speak of a mixed bag, since just yesterday at Highmotor we announced that in just 10 days we will get to know the most powerful version of the Golf GTI, called Clubsport S, based on the GTI Clubsport. If the latter has 280 CV, the Clubsport S will become the first GTI in history to break the 300 CV barrier, offering at least 310 CV. Now the question is, GTI Clubsport S, or R400?

Via | Autonews

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackVolkswagen Golf28 versions · from 24,450 €